Hi John,

Lupus is a complex disorder that manifests differently in almost every
patient.  It is an "autoimmune" disorder which means that the body has
become confused as to which tissues are "self" and which are "not self."
Immunity is the set of defenses that our body has to keep outside and
harmful substances from coming into the body and invading it.  The immune
system of a person with lupus turns on perfectly healthy tissues, and treats
them like invaders.  This causes the patient inflammation, pain, fever....
and this is your first lesson in lupus.  There is never a last lesson.  We
are all still just boggled by what it can do, and how it can affect us.

You have found the right place to ask, though.  this group is full of
sincere, loving and giving people, with lots of information that will be
helpful to you.

Welcome!

Mary
--just another hamster on the treadmill of life,
& lupus sufferer for almost 30 years.

Hi,

I've recently started dating a wonderful woman who has lupus.  I don't know
much, so I'm turning to you folks to guide me to good information (web
sites, but especially books) that will help me understand her condition and
how to support her.

I hope you can help!  :-)

-- John